Veterans commemorate D-Day in France

Normandy veterans gather for the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings

June 6, 2013 10:50 AM

Photo: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

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Normandy veteran Cecil Jeffcoate, 90, (who was dropped by a glider on D-Day) looks towards the French coast on the deck of the cross channel ferry leaving Portsmouth, England for Caen, France on June 4, 2013 at sea in the English Channel. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Normandy veteran Cecil Jeffcoate, 90, (who was dropped by a glider on D-Day) looks towards the French coast on the deck of the cross channel ferry leaving Portsmouth, England for Caen, France on June 4, 2013 ... more

Normandy Veteran 90-year-old Bob Barker looks at the headstones of fallen comrades at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Normandy Veteran 90-year-old Bob Barker looks at the headstones of fallen comrades at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, ... more

Normandy Veterans, attend a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Normandy Veterans, attend a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the ... more

Normandy Veteran, sapper John Buchanan Smith, 91, poses for a photograph at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Normandy Veteran, sapper John Buchanan Smith, 91, poses for a photograph at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in ... more

Two Normandy Veterans clasp hands at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Two Normandy Veterans clasp hands at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy several ... more

Normandy Veteran, Major Edwin Hunt, looks at the headstones of fallen comrades at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Normandy Veteran, Major Edwin Hunt, looks at the headstones of fallen comrades at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 ... more

Normandy veteran, Ted Eaglen, 88, (who was a paratrooper dropped into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day) poses for a photograph as he visits the Pegasus Bridge Memorial Museum on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Normandy veteran, Ted Eaglen, 88, (who was a paratrooper dropped into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day) poses for a photograph as he visits the Pegasus Bridge Memorial Museum on June 5, 2013 near Caen, ... more

Second World War veteran Fred Duffield, 87, (who was a paramedic in the 12th Yorkshire Paratrooper Regiment in the Ardennes) sits aboard the cross channel ferry leaving Portsmouth, England for Caen, France on June 4, 2013 in the English Channel. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Second World War veteran Fred Duffield, 87, (who was a paramedic in the 12th Yorkshire Paratrooper Regiment in the Ardennes) sits aboard the cross channel ferry leaving Portsmouth, England for Caen, France on ... more

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

Second World War veteran Fred Duffield, 87, (who was a paramedic in... Photo-4744934.63990 - Connecticut Post

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A Normandy Veteran, stands in the shade at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

A Normandy Veteran, stands in the shade at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy ... more

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

A Normandy Veteran, stands in the shade at a remembrance and wreath... Photo-4744958.63990 - Connecticut Post

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Serving soldiers look at the headstones at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Serving soldiers look at the headstones at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France. Across Normandy ... more

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

Serving soldiers look at the headstones at a remembrance and wreath... Photo-4744953.63990 - Connecticut Post

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Normandy veteran Douglas Baines, 89, (who was a paratrooper dropped into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day) smokes a cigarette as he visits the Pegasus Bridge Memorial Museum on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Normandy veteran Douglas Baines, 89, (who was a paratrooper dropped into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day) smokes a cigarette as he visits the Pegasus Bridge Memorial Museum on June 5, 2013 near Caen, ... more

The afternoon sunlight illuminates a Second World War Dakota aircraft displayed at the Merville Gun Battery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

The afternoon sunlight illuminates a Second World War Dakota aircraft displayed at the Merville Gun Battery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the ... more

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

The afternoon sunlight illuminates a Second World War Dakota... Photo-4744943.63990 - Connecticut Post

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A man dressed as a British Second World War soldier leaves a tent at the Merville Gun Battery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

A man dressed as a British Second World War soldier leaves a tent at the Merville Gun Battery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy ... more

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

A man dressed as a British Second World War soldier leaves a tent... Photo-4744939.63990 - Connecticut Post

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A gravestone for a Normandy soldier is seen in the churchyard of Ranville church close to the Ranville War Cemetery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

A gravestone for a Normandy soldier is seen in the churchyard of Ranville church close to the Ranville War Cemetery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans ... more

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

A gravestone for a Normandy soldier is seen in the churchyard of... Photo-4744937.63990 - Connecticut Post

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Normandy veteran Eric Barley, (who was a paratrooper from 12th Battalion on D-Day) looks at grave stones before a memorial service in Ranville War Cemetery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Normandy veteran Eric Barley, (who was a paratrooper from 12th Battalion on D-Day) looks at grave stones before a memorial service in Ranville War Cemetery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy ... more

Normandy veteran Douglas Baines, 89, (who was a paratrooper dropped into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day) poses for a photograph as he visits the Pegasus Bridge Memorial Museum on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Normandy veteran Douglas Baines, 89, (who was a paratrooper dropped into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day) poses for a photograph as he visits the Pegasus Bridge Memorial Museum on June 5, 2013 near Caen, ... more

Normandy veteran Major Edwin Hunt walks up from what was the British Sword beach at Colleville Montgomery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

Normandy veteran Major Edwin Hunt walks up from what was the British Sword beach at Colleville Montgomery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the ... more

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

Normandy veteran Major Edwin Hunt walks up from what was the... Photo-4744936.63990 - Connecticut Post

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A Normandy veteran tries to cross the road as he attends a memorial service close to the British Sword beach at Colleville Montgomery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

A Normandy veteran tries to cross the road as he attends a memorial service close to the British Sword beach at Colleville Montgomery on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the ... more

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

A Normandy veteran tries to cross the road as he attends a memorial... Photo-4744935.63990 - Connecticut Post

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People walk and kitesurf on the beach close to where the allied landings took place in June 1944, on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

People walk and kitesurf on the beach close to where the allied landings took place in June 1944, on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy ... more

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

People walk and kitesurf on the beach close to where the allied... Photo-4744947.63990 - Connecticut Post

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A wave covers shells washed up on the beach close to where the allied landings took place in June 1944, on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign are gathering to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually led to the Allied liberation of France in 1944. Next year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the landings, is widely expected to be the last time that the veterans will gather in any great number. less

A wave covers shells washed up on the beach close to where the allied landings took place in June 1944, on June 5, 2013 near Caen, France. Across Normandy several hundred of the surviving veterans of the ... more

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images

A wave covers shells washed up on the beach close to where the... Photo-4744945.63990 - Connecticut Post